Zeinab Jaafar – Meet a Resilient Advocate for Peaceful Communication
For every professional, it is important to prioritize the human aspect as the actual purpose should be to serve humanity. Here is an interview with a dedicated entrepreneur who chose to serve people differently in the field of law. Zeinab practiced as a lawyer for years before she founded Z Mediation, which is centered on offering services to prevent and resolve conflicts in a more empathetic way by relying on mediation techniques and neuroscience of human behavior. Specialized in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly in mediation and arbitration, Zeinab also got certified in NLP and coaching. Z Mediation is the integration of all her skills and professional experience. It carries the goal of spreading the holistic vision in the legal field in alignment with her fundamental belief in human-centered solutions.
Zeinab’s Achievements:
Zeinab believes that each step taken towards our dreams and goals is significant. It is like ascending a staircase where each level is fundamental to reaching the next. Just as one stair leads to the next, all achievements are interconnected, building upon one another. She sees herself as someone who is continuously climbing up to progress, grateful for each milestone achieved. Despite of various challenges she has continued with resilience and fortitude. She shares, “Balancing the roles of a lawyer, wife, and mother while living abroad, away from my parents, presented its share of difficulties. However, it was in these moments that I unearthed my capabilities and inner strengths. I have learned firsthand that the true strength of a determined and committed woman lies in harmonizing various responsibilities without losing sight of her essence. I cherish the opportunities that have come my way.”
Zeinab’s Driving Force:
Zeinab relies on her inner voice that forbids surrender. She has faith in herself. She says, “It is imperative to understand that the energy we invest in our pursuits manifests in the outcomes we experience. Just as energy cannot be destroyed but only transformed, the efforts we exert are not in vain; they merely await the right Time to resurface. To encapsulate this sentiment succinctly, I propose an equation:
Commitment (C) plus Confidence (C) complemented by Time (T) equals achievement. These virtues, when empowered by strong beliefs in our potential to succeed, serve as the driving forces behind our accomplishments”.
Advice to Women:
I wish to reach every woman’s heart and tell her how beautiful and incredible she is. While some may expect from me to urge them to be their best selves, my message instead is different: ‘Embrace your authenticity and needs. Resist societal pressures, reject imposed standards for worthiness and success, and never allow anyone to diminish your value. You don’t need to prove you value to anybody. You don’t need to give endlessly to feel worthy. You are good enough the way you are. Never give up on your dreams. Stay connected to your real self and act accordingly. Sometimes you might feel tired, down and unable to give or do. It s ok, just be then. Allow yourself to take a break , cool down and enjoy some quality time before you fly again.
Zeinab’s Strengths and Positive Influence:
Having lived in various countries from a young age, she has developed a strong ability to adapt to diverse environments due to her multicultural experiences. She is proficient in multiple languages, which serves as a valuable asset, enabling her to connect with people from different nationalities. Zeinab is a versatile individual capable of excelling in a diverse range of responsibilities.
Zeinab has effective leadership qualities. She has always worked towards motivating others and encouraging them to reap positive outcomes during her law practice. She has always been a positive influence on her surroundings. Her advice has enabled friends, family and colleagues to improve their lives. To her utmost joy, she has been considered an inspiration in their life.
She strongly trusts her skills toward enabling others and triggering more happiness in the lives of the people around her, she states, “I believe that by empowering people around me I get empowered. It is such a rewarding feeling to hear from people, how they benefit from you.”
From a Personal Perspective:
Zeinab is constantly trying to adjust the limiting beliefs enforced by social systems. She trusts her inner voice to challenge the status quo and lead so that pre-imposed social beliefs do not curb creativity and natural talents. She supports everyone who is on the path to self-development as knowing one’s self deeply unlocks doors to lasting success. Discussing about it she continues, “The society needs to prioritize this mission of self-discovery and self-exploration right from early childhood school days because children must learn about themselves and understand themselves. Starting the self-development journey at a young age is more crucial than teaching subjects like Maths or Chemistry or any other topic. I aim to bring the humanism to the core of every society. “
“My personal experience has underscored the importance of understanding our desires at the right time. Often, decisions are made based on what we believe aligns with our needs. However, we might realize with time that our understanding was flawed, and we find ourselves consumed by regrets. Of course there is always room for correction. However, it is vital to acknowledge that he outcomes of our wrong choices can be heavy to address.”
“Reflecting on my journey, there were instances where I struggled to recognize myself – the person I had become felt distant from who I once was. This sudden change in identities was a main cause for my emotional distress. Transitioning from a highly skilled lawyer with freedom and independence to a dedicated full-time housewife unable to commit to my dream career made me question the purpose of my education and wonder if I will be ever able to fulfill my goals. However, with time, I learned to accept that there are periods in life where circumstances may not unfold as planned. It is at that time that I started my journey in the self-development and slowly, I learned how to balance my familial responsibilities with career aspirations. Today, I am happy to help others in establishing similar balance in their lives.”
Sources of Inspiration:
Zeinab has been captivated by the writings of Victor Hugo, a French poet and lawyer. She has also been deeply inspired by Amelia Earhart, known for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She finds it fascinating to imagine the amount of courage and determination Amelia had.
Zeinab shares with us, “That’s a very empowering perspective! When I feel lonely on my path or when I am facing an obstacle, I remind myself of what Amelia Earhart went through when she decided to fly alone across the ocean”.
Goals and Vision:
Zeinab’s primary goal at the moment is to make her mark in Dubai, delve into the local market, and accelerate her work as a mediator alongside her current role in arbitration. She is committed to broadening her influence by providing high-quality mediation services and innovative training programs. Presently, she is leading various initiatives in this field, laying the foundations for progressive conflict resolution practices.
Additionally, she is passionate about empowering women who lack faith in their abilities. She intends to encourage them to recognize and embrace their limitless potential, and to never settle for less than they deserve. Zeinab says:”My aim is to influence the maximum number of people around me through public speaking and workshops that aim to unlock unlimited power”.
Message to the Readers:
She says, “Keep believing in yourself, and remember that you are capable of achieving great things just like those who have come before you. Bear in mind that everything begins from you and within you.” Connect with Zeinab on LinkedIn.
